The Kansas State Council of Epsilon Sigma Alpha invites the public to hear a presentation by Courtney Langley CPT speaking on the topic, "Mother, Soldier, Woman." Langley will present the challenges she has faced as a military professional and single parent, serving her home and country. The program will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Pratt Municipal Building, 117 W. Third. Admission is free to the public.

Epsilon Sigma Alpha is a service leadership organization that supports many philanthropic activities. Its feature presentation will highlight its Hope for Heroes program that supports military men and women in many ways. The current State Council president's project is the Wounded Warrior Program, but other activities to support Hope for Heroes includes adopting soldiers and military families, scholarship support for soldiers and their families, honor flights and care packages to soldiers in the field of battle.

Langley enlisted in 2000 and was commissioned in 2004 from Kansas State University and was immediately deployed after attending Army officer basic course for transportation. She was deployed 2004-05 with the 778th Transportation Company. She was promoted to first lieutenant in 2005 and captain in 2009. She is currently working full time in Hutchinson with the 635th RSG as the Brigade 51 (human resources director and HHD635th RSG commander).

After her daughter was born in 2008, she had to meet the challenges of becoming a single parent in 2009. She applied for full time work with the KSARMG, which helped her to recover from a very difficult time, which she described as, "the most defining time in my life."

Being a soldier and deployed has brought many difficult challenges, with a lot of stress into her life. However the best thing to happen to her has been to become a mother.

"It shaped, matured and calmed me to be a better person, professional and soldier. The added bonus has been always moving forward and taking on life," she said.